The restaurant chain Toby Carvery is facing calls to fund emergency 'life support' for a 500-year-old oak tree that was controversially chainsawed at one of its locations last spring, sparking public outrage and a formal investigation.
Unauthorised Felling Sparks Legal Dispute
The ancient oak, situated on the edge of a Toby Carvery car park in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield, had its branches cut off without authorisation in April. The works were carried out by contractors for the restaurant's owner, Mitchells & Butlers Retail, who claimed the tree needed felling for safety reasons.
Enfield Council, the landowner, was not consulted about the work, prompting fury from its leader. The incident has now become the centre of a legal dispute between the council and the company and is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Forestry Commission.
A Glimmer of Hope and a Plea for 'Life Support'
Despite the severe damage, experts have observed a sign of hope. The trunk of the 500-year-old tree has shown signs of regrowth. However, its long-term survival is far from guaranteed.
Russell Miller, an arborist specialising in ancient trees, explained that the oak is alive and re-sprouting, but the new shoots are vulnerable. "The issue is whether those sprouts will die off, either because they just dry up or in the medium term they don’t have enough photosynthetic capability to generate enough energy to sustain the root system," he said.
Miller proposes a relatively cheap solution: a form of 'life support' for the stump. For an estimated £10,000, a sprinkler system could be installed to reduce the risk of the shoots failing. This would involve a tank in the car park, sprinklers, and a pump. He cited a similar system that helped preserve the oldest tree in Poland.
Call for Action to Save an 'Irreplaceable' Landmark
Conservation groups are adding their voice to the pressure on Toby Carvery to help make amends. Adam Cormack, head of campaigning at the Woodland Trust, emphasised the tree's value, stating: "Ancient trees like the Whitewebbs oak are irreplaceable. It’s vital every effort is made to keep what’s left alive so it can continue to help wildlife thrive and inspire and educate future generations."
While he acknowledged that the chances of regeneration are unclear and the work is experimental, Cormack stressed the importance of trying everything. "In 200 years, we want a family to be able to walk past, point at the marks on its trunk and tell the story of when the Whitewebbs oak nearly died. We must act now," he urged.
Mitchells & Butlers Retail, which initially suggested the tree had died, has declined to comment on the calls to fund the regeneration efforts. The public and authorities now wait to see if the company will step in to fund a future for the remains of this magnificent tree.
